Consulate Review: Montreal, Canada
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
December 2, 2016 |
| Embassy Review : |
My fiance and I (the U.S. Petitioner) arrived at the consulate at 7:40AM. There were about 8 people in line before us, however many people cut in line, and the security guard paid no notice and when those in line pointed to the back of the line, this was always ignored. Our appointment was at 8:30AM, and I had heard that sometimes they turn away people who show up more than 30 minutes in advance of their appointment, but we had no issue. As soon as you get in line, the security guard will instruct you to turn off your phone. As a general note, although the consulate website says bags/purses of 12" x 10" x 6" are allowed, it's completely up to the discretion of the security guard outside. A man with a small backpack of that size was turned away, but a lady with a slightly larger backpack was let in for some reason.
The security guard let in groups of 2 to 4 into the building at a time. When we got to the front of the line (after about a 5 minute wait), he checked the DS-160 and our passports before letting us in. Immediately inside the building waiting by the front door, a guy scanned the DS-160 and asked for the appointment letter. He then handed out the laminated letter with a number on it/the document list, as well as another piece of paper they are using to track of how long the process is taking at each step, told us that we would sit in the middle area upstairs, then sent us to go stand in line for security procedures. The inside waiting area for security is fairly small, and only holds maybe 6 people or so. Once the security officer inside calls you up (10 minute wait for us), you take off your jackets/hats/scarves, bags/purses/umbrella, metal items (including belts), and everything in your pockets, and put it into the bin - where they will send it into the x-ray scanner. You'll then walk through the metal detector. I had a small purse (6" x 8" x 2") that was searched even after going through the scanner. However, this security guard was super friendly and made jokes about how he was disappointed by the boring the contents of my purse. I also gave him my phone and he gave me a ticket to retrieve it on the way back. Note that this ticket is TINY, roughly 1" x .5"...so be sure not to lose it! He also put a sticker on the passport, returned our items, and told us to go downstairs for the elevator.
So, we headed downstairs into the basement area to take the elevator up. There is a photo booth there for you to take passport photos (3 for $10) in case you forgot. Unlike all the reviews I'd read, it was completely empty down there, and no security guard ushering people in and out of the elevator. We pressed the button for the elevator and waited for a good 5 minutes before the elevator finally came down. We walked in and pushed the button for the 19th floor (you only have options for the bottom floor, 19th, and 22nd floor). Note that nobody had told us to go to the 19th floor, I just knew this from all the helpful reviews.
The lady upstairs did not tell us where to sit on her own, but was there to answer questions. We sat in the middle area as instructed by the guy downstairs - note that this is a bit confusing because the far right area is labeled as "non-immigrant visa waiting area" - but again this is not where you will sit. There is a bathroom, a cashier (they do not give change, this is just for paying for your appointment), and some snack/drink machines (everything $2). We got the documents in "order" while waiting:
* Passport & Photocopy - photocopy of PR/Citizenship card if not born in Canada
* Interview Letter & Proof of Payment
* Passport Style Photos
* Letter of Intent
* Birth Certificate (Original) and Photocopy
* Medical Exam Sealed
* Police Certificate (Original)
* I-134 & Supporting Documents
After an hour and 15 minutes of waiting, my fiance got called up to window 1. Note that numbers are NOT called up in order, so if you hear someone with a number after yours being called, don't be alarmed. It is also very hard to make out the announcements, the speaker quality is poor. The lady at window #1 seemed new or something, she was very slow, and not personable. She asked for the documents one by one, took a few minutes reviewing each document, and had to ask the supervisor questions or to come check her work on the computer quite often. She didn't ask for the documents in the same order as the sheet, but that's common. Fingerprints were taken there as well and he was also asked to write down the US address. They did return my tax transcripts for the previous 3 years, as they only wanted the most recent year (apparently), but took everything else including the 1040/W2, most recent tax transcript, and original job offer letter. After about 15-20 minutes at window 1, came back to the waiting area.
After 15 more minutes, he was called to window/area 7 for the interview. The interviewer was very friendly and "bro"-like. My fiance and the interviewer apparently talked about protein shakes and games for a bit... as for the relevant questions:
* How did you meet?
* I also play online games!! What game was it?!
* How did you visit each other?
* Have you met her parents/family?
* When do you plan to get married?
Got original birth certificate returned by the interviewer, and was handed the Welcome to America sheet. Also told that the time for the passport to be sent back "varies" but that we were "very organized so it should be quick". I had labeled everything with tabs for easy finding, fiance was told that very few people do that for the interview stage but that they wish more would do so.
Overall, an okay experience. Would have preferred procedures to consistently followed (not allowing people to cut in line, equal treatment of all baggage, collecting documents in the order stated) and the facility announcements/signage were more clear. But the interview process itself was pretty easy. |
| Rating : |
Moderate |
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ver 5.0